Transfer insider Dean Jones believes that Brendan Rodgers could be the man to take over at Manchester City when Pep Guardiola decides to leave.
Given Guardiola’s lifespan when it comes to managing clubs and considering his contract is set to expire in 2023, it’s not unreasonable to start thinking about who could be the man to take over from him when he does eventually decide to leave the club.
The Leicester City boss has had his future discussed recently in regards to the job at Newcastle United, although it has since emerged that he doesn’t hold any interest in making the move to St. James’ Park.
However, speaking on the latest edition of Touchline Talk, Jones felt that, based on what he’s been hearing, that the Etihad Stadium could ultimately be his next destination:
“You go back to last season when Guardiola was waiting on a new contract there, we were waiting to see whether he would sign an extension to his Man City stay, and because of that, it was obvious we were all trying to get a feel of who might come in if Pep left.
“And Brendan Rodgers undoubtedly has support within that club and is seen as somebody who can come in [to] continue what Pep’s done, but also make changes that could continue to evolve this team and make sure they remain at the top of European football.
“I think it’s realistic that he will be in the frame to replace Pep Guardiola.”
TIF Thoughts on Dean Jones’ comments about Brendan Rodgers and Manchester City…
Would you like to see Rodgers succeed Pep?
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Having made some great progress in turning the Foxes into perennial challengers for Europe, to then take over a club like Manchester City does seem like the natural progression for someone like Rodgers to make.
And after his 2013/14 season at Liverpool, he’s certainly had experience in challenging near the top of the Premier League table as well. However, as the following two seasons showed, when he didn’t have Luis Suarez at his disposal, you could argue that part of that was down to the skill of the players he had rather than anything that was happening in the dugout.
But since he will be surrounded by world-class talent at Manchester City, it would then just be a case of whether his managerial skills have developed since then to make sure that there isn’t a significant drop-off from Guardiola to him.
In other news: “He’s going to need him” – Michael Ball sends stark warning to Pep over £81m-rated MCFC attacker